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Talisker 10 Year Old

Well balanced, comfortably simple

0 783

@brett88Review by @brett88

18th Jun 2012

0

Talisker 10 Year Old
  • Nose
    ~
  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
    83

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

I must say that if anything this whisky is slightly underwhelming through the nose and the palate, however the balance and finish bring it through to the level of enjoyment which one can appreciate on a winter's evening...

Nose: At first a hint of olive is present, which is then hidden away by a smokey aroma that develops into a lingering array of spices, mainly Salt and Peppers.

Palate: the first drop to touch the tongue gives a short lived sweetness of pears and possibly a very feint citrus sensation. Overwhelming notes of peppers and other spices.

Finish: The finish is medium in length with the senses mainly experiencing a salt and pepper. I think the low level of sweetness from the pear and citrus from possibly a lemon, drags the bitterness from the S&P and ABV% to a quick halt.

All in all, this whisky I consider to be highlighted by its balance, the S&P flavour and aromas drown out most other sensations, the pear would have been better to be brought further forward and to linger on the palate just that little bit longer. Some added complexity and layers would have made for further interest.

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7 comments

@michaelschout
michaelschout commented

@brett88 You can tell you're a Speyside/Highland lover from this review. You're right about the subtleness of the sweetness and other flavours compared to the peat and smoke. I see Talisker much like the great all-rounder HP 12; it encompasses many of the whisky elements prominent in the other regions, but then chooses to highlight very prominently the peat aspect.

12 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

@brett88, how long has the reviewed bottle been open? My bottle tasted very much as you have described yours for about 7 months, then it blossomed with a giant burst of additional sweetness, and the intensity of the pepper lessened, giving it a much more balanced feel. Until this change occurred, I really couldn't identity with the many who are giant fans of this whisky. Afterwards, I could.

12 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

Sorry, read "identify"...

12 years ago 0

@brett88
brett88 commented

ok thanks for the quick comments, this is my first online review. I have only had the bottle open for a few days, and due to being a very simple bottle i have put it in a decanter which might speed it up to the same qualities you have discribed.... hopefully. I only decanterred it to keep my other whiskies out of sight from visiting friends. I had heard a number of people raving about this whisky but was slightly dissappointed from how simple it is compared to spey's an HL's, but that is just my tastes i guess.

12 years ago 0

@brett88
brett88 commented

Tomorrow I will be reviewing a Glenfarclas 12yo or a Caol Ila 12yo not too sure yet will see when the time comes... I also have a Glenlivet XXV awaiting it's review in the coming days

12 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

@brett88, if you read my review of Talisker 10, it should have some strongly familiar observations to your own. I, too, reviewed the bottle soon after opening. Yes, you should be able to get the oxidation effects in the glass or the decanter through controlled exposure to air.

12 years ago 0

@brett88
brett88 commented

yeah lovely, thanks victor. I have read a number of your reviews. I will give some exposure to the Tal 10yo over the next few weeks to see any change and will load the observations or second tasting on here.

12 years ago 0